With the number of Alabamians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic steadily increasing, the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is taking some additional steps to better ensure the safety and welfare of its employees and customers. The operational changes include the temporary closing of 41 retail locations around the state, including nine in the Birmingham Metro area.

“Closing some of our stores will provide the greatest amount of employee/customer protection, while ensuring maximum productivity and efficiency,” said ABC Board Administrator Mac Gipson. “Our primary concern is the health and well-being of our employees and patrons.”

Last March, the Board shuttered 78 retail locations and made operational and staffing changes in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Stores reopened as infection numbers improved. However, recent changes implemented by the education and business communities, as well an increase in the number of virus exposures and infections, have made staffing 175 retail stores challenging at best.  

Stores scheduled to close will cease operations at the end of business, Saturday, Jan. 16 and are expected to reopen late February or early March. A total of 79 personnel currently assigned to “closing” stores will be temporarily re-assigned to open stores in their area.

“Our goal here is to operate as efficiently and safely as possible, while providing our customers with the premier service they’ve come to expect,” Gipson said.

The Birmingham area stores slated to close include:

  • Store 18 - 1116 Third Avenue, North Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Store 26 - 2910 Morgan Road Suite 138, Bessemer, AL 35022
  • Store 29 - 405 Helena Marketplace Helena, AL 35080
  • Store 30 - 2074 Springdale Lane Tarrant City, AL 35217
  • Store 92 - 5180 Caldwell Mill Rd Ste 208 Hoover, AL 35244
  • Store 121 - 217 West College Street Columbiana, AL 35051
  • Store 143 - 5712 Chalkville Rd Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35235
  • Store 146 - 114 Commerce Parkway Pelham, AL 35124
  • Store 230 - 6662 Hwy. 75, Suite 120 Pinson, AL 35126

Visit the ABC Board website for a full list of stores that will remain open.